Photo via official movie Facebook page
By Keith Walther | Rose Law Group Reporter
Like an emotionally infused rock ballad from the 1980s, this is a film that lingers in all the right ways. “Power Ballad” is a fictional drama with plenty of comedy and music at its core. Between the acting, the directing, and the music, there are plenty of things to like about this movie, but it is the storytelling that takes center stage and captures the heart.
After meeting the love of his life, Rick (Paul Rudd) leaves his ambitions of being a rock star behind to build a family and life in Ireland. Many years later, Rick is the lead vocalist for a wedding band, where he meets Danny Wilson (Nick Jonas), a boyband star who has never been able to pave the way for a solo career. When a late-night jam session between them results in Rick’s original song being stolen and turned into a worldwide hit, Rick makes it his mission to obtain the recognition he deserves.
Irish co-writer and director John Carney, who’s responsible for some truly underappreciated films like “Once” and “Sing Street,” returns with another fantastic film centered around music. The story itself is rather basic and nothing new (2001’s “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” is very similar), but the way he tells the story is where the film’s beauty shines. Showing the main character as a devoted husband and father while still following his love for music in the limited capacity as a wedding singer allows the audience to immediately develop an emotional connection to him that only strengthens when his song gets stolen. There are a resounding heartbeat and soul to this story that most if not all will enjoy.
True to Carney’s signature style, especially “Sing Street,” there is an intimate focus on the creative process, using tight cinematography techniques, particularly during the jam session scene. The audience is allowed to feel the same high energy and joy of creating music that the two main characters feel with close-ups that harness their expressive facial reactions. Carney grounds this experience in the suburbs of Dublin that gives the film a more relatable and naturalistic tone. This is further emphasized with a consistent sense of humanistic humor, especially targeting aging musicians, that he later shifts to some funny over-the-top physical comedy moments in the final act. Carney also incorporates some nostalgia with the choice of music that many viewers will appreciate.
While Carney exhibits outstanding storytelling ability, it is the acting that solidifies the emotional connection to the characters and plot. Paul Rudd has long since established himself as a charismatic everyman with a warm, approachable, and comical presence. He brings that persona to this role in spades, endearing audiences with his family-first mentality while showing no regrets for losing his once promising music career. This genuine emotional depth he harnesses for this role acts as the foundation of this film, rewarding viewers with one of his finest performances to date. Not to mention, he even does his own singing.
Then there’s Nick Jonas, who is more known for his singing voice than he is his acting, which does serve him perfectly in the role of a fading boyband star. In that jam session with Paul Rudd’s character, Jonas shows some acting prowess of his own with these subtle micro expressions that authentically convey the fun and joy his character is experiencing during this musical brainstorming. As his character shifts to being the antagonist, he deftly demonstrates a hint of guilt over his actions, allowing the audience to understand his motives while not going so far as to condone his theft. Jonas definitely shows some chops apart from his musical prowess.
Stolen intellectual property has never been so heartfelt, amusing, and downright entertaining. “Power Ballad” has the kind of genuine sincerity that will leave you feeling satisfied and just downright good. This is one of the better films of the year so far, so bust a move to the theater and let yourself smile while drumming your fingers to the catchy tunes.
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